ABC's Designated Survivor — Trailer

added: Tue, May 17th '16

Here's a fun fact: Every time the U.S. President is gathered in the same building with the country's other top leaders, a member of the President's Cabinet is selected and placed in an undisclosed location in the event of a worst-case scenario. That individual is generally known as the "designated survivor." And if something catastrophic were to happen, the "designated survivor" would be next in line for the presidency.

So, this leads us to the newly-released debut trailer for ABC's new fall drama "Designated Survivor," which paints a frightening scenario in which a terrorist attack has wiped out every major government executive during the President's State of the Union address. And former "24" star Kiefer Sutherland is left to assume the role of President of the United States.

Created by screenwriter David Guggenheim (Safe House), the series also stars Natascha McElhone (SHO's Californication), Maggie Q (CW's Nikita), and Kal Penn (FOX's House). Director Paul McGuigan (Victor Frankenstein, Lucky Number Slevin) helms the pilot episode, which will be premiering during ABC's 2016 fall schedule.

More a complete look at ABC's new fall line-up, head on over to the network's official website at abc.go.com.

synopsis:
Emmy-and Golden Globe-winning actor Kiefer Sutherland ("24") returns to primetime in a conspiracy thriller as Tom Kirkman, a lower-level cabinet member who unexpectedly becomes president after a devastating attack on Washington. He will struggle to prevent the country and his own family from falling into chaos, as he is thrust into one of the most difficult presidencies in history.

directed by Paul McGuigan (pilot episode)

starring Kiefer Sutherland, Natascha McElhone, Maggie Q, Kal Penn, Adan Canto, Italia Ricci, LaMonica Garrett, Tanner Buchanan

release date Fall 2016 (on ABC)